Arr! Wander Franco o' Rays be docked on leave as MLB searches fer alleged connections with wee ones.
2023-08-22
Arr, me hearties! Wander Franco, the scurvy dog from the Tampa Bay Rays, be walkin' the plank of administrative leave! The MLB be scrutinin' his dealings with wee ones, arrr!
The Tampa Bay Rays' star shortstop, Wander Franco, has been placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball (MLB) due to an ongoing investigation into his alleged relationship with underage girls. This move comes after social media posts suggested that Franco was involved with a minor. A second allegation against him also surfaced during this time. The MLB stated that Franco's placement on administrative leave is not a disciplinary action but rather a temporary measure while they conduct their investigation.Franco's stay on the restricted list was set to end before the Rays' game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night. The team expressed its support for the MLB investigation and emphasized its commitment to upholding high standards of integrity both on and off the field. Franco himself went on Instagram Live to deny the allegations, with his teammate Jose Siri heard in the background dismissing the accusations as people after money.
During the investigation, Ángel Darío Tejeda Fabal, a prosecutor in the Dominican Republic, confirmed that an investigation into Franco was underway, specifically focusing on minors and gender violence. It is important to note that these allegations have not resulted in any charges against Franco.
Meanwhile, it is worth mentioning that MLB has dealt with several disciplinary cases under its domestic violence policy in the past. One notable case is Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer, who was placed on administrative leave before being suspended for 324 games (later reduced to 194 games) following assault accusations. However, Bauer was never charged with a crime.
Despite the ongoing investigation, Franco has had an impressive season, earning his first All-Star selection and contributing significantly to the Rays' success. He signed an 11-year, $182 million contract, making him a cornerstone player for the franchise. As the investigation unfolds, the Rays and MLB will continue to provide updates as necessary.